NAPLES, Fla. — Scores were shifting all day as players fought to secure a spot inside the top 60 and ties for a shot at Championship Sunday. By day’s end, Brad Schneider rose to the top of the leaderboard, well-positioned heading into the final round. The field is now down to 61 players, and tomorrow, a champion will be crowned.
What Happened?
Players were once again evenly tested across both Quail West and The TwinEagles Club, with momentum shifts unfolding on both courses as players surged ahead and slipped back. Overnight leader Allin Crouch came out firing, carding an eagle on the third hole and becoming one of the first two players to reach double digits under par. Crouch kept his foot on the gas heading into the final stretch, making birdie on his last two holes, highlighted by an approach shot to three feet on the 18th hole.
Joining him was Brad Schneider, who built on his late birdie run from round one. Schneider overtook Crouch with a strong front nine and grabbed the solo lead through 13 holes. This lead would hold through the rest of the round and Schneider found himself in similar territory.
Just one year ago, Schnieder led the field after two rounds at the 78th Florida Open Championship at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. Could that experience give him an edge this time around?
Two of the day’s standout performances came from University of Florida Head Coach and two-time Florida Open Champion, J C Deacon, and former Gator, Joseph Padgin. Deacon carded a bogey-free 7-under 65, highlighted by a flurry of four consecutive birdies from holes 14 through 17. Padgin matched that 65 to climb into a tie for second alongside Allin Crouch, following a bogey-free back nine. Deacon, now sitting solo fourth, is eyeing a third Florida Open title to further cement his decorated career, while Padgin is looking to earn his first win as a professional.
In the chase for low amateur, 17-year-old Tristan Weiland surged into contention with a bogey-free 66 (-6) in round two that had him rounding out the top five heading into the final round. NaShawn Tyson (a) also impressed, following a strong start with birdies on holes one and three and an eagle on the fifth. A double bogey on his final hole proved costly, dropping him one shot behind Weiland, but still firmly in the mix.
What’s Next
The field has been cut to 61 players. The final 18 holes will be played tomorrow at Quail West Golf & Country Club. The leaders will tee it off of Hole #1 at 9:40 AM. If necessary, there will be a hole-by-hole "sudden death" play-off for the Championship.
Notable
- Twineagles’ par-5, third hole stood out, as both Schneider and Crouch both made eagle on it
- Ted Potter aced the par-3 11th hole at Quail West
- The scoring average at Quail West for round two was 72.78, while the scoring average at The TwinEagles Club was 72.82.
- The top four players on the leaderboard all played at TwinEagles for the second round.
- Forty-seven pros and 14 amateurs made the cut.
Quotable
“I had a great round today. I don’t think I hit my driver as far as most of these guys out here I’m sure, but I putted well and I think that’s all I need out here. Tomorrow I’m just going to play it one shot at a time, not do anything crazy, and just hope the birdies come to me.” – Tristan Weiland on being one of the youngest players in the field, and his mindset going into the final round
“They’re two different golf courses…yesterday there were not a lot of drivers while today I just concentrated on hitting the driver really well, and luckily I did hit a lot of good drivers. Probably had my best one on my last hole right there and made a late birdie.” – Brad Schnieder on the differences between Quail West and The TwinEagles Club
“I’m not quite sure what was working well for me out there. I got away with some stuff out there today. I didn’t hit it my best but my short game was good. I hit a lot of close chips, including a chip in on the fifth hole par five hole for eagle.” – AJ (Allin) Crouch on his second round 4-under, 68
